Every unique and talented Avantee is a co-creator of the Avant culture we love. We hope the @Avant series helps you get to know who we are, how we do what we do, and what it looks like to build your career at Avant.
Courtney Young
Director on the People Team
Joined Avant in 2018
What’s it like to work @Avant? We asked Courtney for her take on our culture, and here’s what she said:
1. How would you describe Avant’s culture?
We’re incredibly team-oriented and collaborative–truly. The people here are some of the smartest I’ve ever worked with, but what struck me in my first week (coming from a very different environment) was how uncompetitive it felt. No ego, no sharp elbows. The vibe is more like, “I’m going to do my best because that’s my own standard–and I want to support you to be successful too, because we’re in this together.”
People genuinely want to help you out–teach you, support you, help you grow, and cheer you on. That stuck with me early on, and it’s been consistently true throughout my tenure here. It’s one of the (many) reasons I love working here.
2. Why are you happy/successful here?
That’s an easy answer: because I get to learn every single day. I find our work so fascinating and motivating, and I love that I’m trusted with new tasks, responsibilities, and initiatives—even without decades of experience in that exact area. I get to stretch, figure things out, and tap into the insanely smart people around me. I keep getting challenged in ways that I never expected, and I love it!
My love of learning is part of who I am, but it also reflects how we approach and solve problems. We don’t say “I don’t know how to do it, so someone else should.” It’s more like, “I don’t know how to do it, so who can help me learn?” Avant is full of people who are curious, generous with their knowledge, and excited to grow–and they want you to grow right alongside them. That’s just the vibe here, and it suits me well.
3. What’s something Avant is really good at? What’s something you’d like to see us get better at?
Something we’re really good at: when we decide to prioritize something, we mobilize. Quickly. We pull in the right people or teams, and because we’re stacked with doers and thinkers and go-getters, we keep moving–even as roadblocks naturally come up and we need to pivot, we stay focused and get it done. A great example of this is how quickly we were able to get all of our teams fully operational during the pandemic, when we had never worked fully remotely before. People were just so willing to jump in. It was one of those moments that really showed who we are as a company.
Of course there is always room for continuous improvement in almost every area. Something we have room to grow is efficiency. We have a complex environment—some Avantees in person, some remote, everyone juggling different timelines and competing priorities. And with that I wonder: are we moving as efficiently as we could? Are we connecting people in the ways they need or expect? Is anyone unintentionally left out of the loop? How do we ensure we’re all moving together? I think about it a lot. Not because I think we’re doing it “wrong” but because I think we can get better–it is important to me that our people feel aligned, supported, and connected as we continue to evolve as a company.
4. If you were to describe who you are and not mention your work at all, what would you say?
I’d probably describe myself as eclectic–not so much in the fashion or design sense, but in experience that I am drawn to. I’m curious, a bit of a dabbler, and I love a good hodgepodge of interests. I think it’s because I grew up in a small town, and didn’t have a ton of exposure to different cultures or ideas, so now I’m drawn to learning from other people’s perspectives– history or culture or stories, all of it. I’m a people person. I love interacting with people, socializing, and just being friendly.
Oh and I should definitely say I’m also a “boy mom”, which is something I never pictured for myself but it somehow suits me. My hope is that I raise two kind, curious boys who treat people well and hopefully go on to make the world a little better.
5. What’s your favorite thing about the way your specific job role works on your team?
I don’t really think of myself as “the Director of the People Team.” Of course, I so appreciate having the opportunity to lead, but for me, it’s really about the awesome team—and there are so many super smart, dedicated people on this team. Everybody shows up and gives their best in some really challenging situations, and we do a great job. The fact that I get to be part of it is incredibly rewarding for me. I take a lot of pride in what we’re able to accomplish. I just find it really cool that I get to witness that every day, regardless of what role I have. Being close to the work, to see all these smart people in action, doing their best on a daily basis…it’s what excites me and keeps me motivated.
6. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was younger, I wanted to be a chef. When I was like 8 years old, I learned how to cook alongside my grandmother, and once I found out that that could be a profession, I thought that it was a perfect mix of creativity and skill. I was fascinated by cooking shows on the Food Network. I didn’t become a chef, obviously, but cooking has stayed with me as my creative outlet. You’ll rarely catch me following a recipe because I mostly cook from inspiration based on whatever ingredients I have in my fridge or panty. It feels like a good way to exercise a different part of my brain, and I enjoy it. I love seeing my family and friends enjoy what I make.
